Paska

What is Paska?

Paska is a sweet, rich bread made with milk, butter, eggs, sugar, and flour. It is usually round and can be tall or braided, often decorated with dough shapes or a white sugar glaze. The bread is soft and slightly sweet, sometimes topped with coloured grains or poppy seeds. In Romania and Moldova, pască is a tart with a sweet cheese filling, often with raisins or sour cream. The bread is closely tied to Easter celebrations and is recognized for its festive appearance and symbolic decorations.

Where does Paska come from?

Paska has deep roots in the Easter traditions of Ukraine and neighboring countries. The name comes from the Greek word for Easter and is related to the word for Passover. The earliest known Ukrainian recipe dates to the 18th century and included spices like saffron and cinnamon. The bread is linked to Christian symbolism, especially the resurrection of Christ, and is a central part of Easter meals in Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic communities. Over time, the bread has spread to other countries with similar religious and cultural backgrounds.

How is Paska made?

To make paska, bakers combine milk, butter, eggs, sugar, and flour to form a rich dough. The dough is shaped into round or tall loaves, sometimes braided or placed in cylindrical tins. In Ukraine, decorations are made from dough or a sugar glaze, with traditional motifs like birds or flowers. Romanian pască uses a base of cozonac dough, filled with fresh cheese, eggs, sugar, and sometimes raisins or sour cream. The bread is baked until golden and often finished with a glaze or seeds.

How and when is Paska eaten?

Paska is eaten at Easter, often after being blessed in church. In Ukraine, it is placed in a basket with other festive foods and brought to be blessed on Holy Saturday. After the Easter service, families share the bread as part of a celebratory meal, sometimes with cheese custard (hrudka), sausage, or beets with horseradish. The bread is also given as a gift and exchanged among friends and family. In Romania and Moldova, the cheese-filled version is served alongside other Easter dishes.

Kinds of Paska

Paska varies by region and family tradition. Ukrainian versions may be tall and decorated or braided. Romanian and Moldovan pască is a cheese-filled tart. Some recipes add raisins, spices, or even chocolate. In diaspora communities, the name paska may refer to different shapes or styles, including loaves called babka or kulich. Decorations and fillings change with local customs and available ingredients.

What Paska means

Paska is a symbol of Easter and spring renewal in Eastern Christian cultures. Its preparation and blessing are important rituals, especially in Ukraine, where the bread is part of a basket of foods brought to church. Decorations often carry symbolic meanings, such as birds for spring. The bread is associated with family gatherings, religious observance, and the end of Lent. In Mennonite communities, baking paska commemorates the resurrection of Christ.

When Paska is on the table

Questions people ask about Paska

Good reading and sources

• Paska (bread) on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data